Former head teacher appointed as Education Coordinator 06 July 2017

The former head of Newquay Junior School, has been appointed to run The Wave Project’s new Beach School education programme.

Andrew Reep is an active member St Agnes Surf Lifesaving Club as well as experienced teacher. He will oversee the scheme to help 240 Cornish pupils reach their potential.

He said: “I am delighted to be heading up the Beach School programme here at The Wave Project and am very much looking forward to building on the fantastic success that the programme is having throughout Cornwall. The charity has inspired and engaged hundreds of young people and helped to improve their education. I am passionate about working to ensure that all young people can engage positively with learning and fulfil their potential, and believe that learning outdoors within the beach and surf environment can truly inspire and motivate pupils, particularly those who find engaging with mainstream school more challenging.”

The Wave Project received £100,000 grant from Comic Relief to run the Beach School project for 240 Cornish children who are at risk of not engaging in school. The award-winning Cornish charity has successfully been running the programme across the county throughout the past year, and has worked with six primary and secondary schools in the 2016-17 term.

Pupils in years 9 and 5 spent one day a week doing their lessons on the beach, improving their knowledge of subjects such as geography, science and maths – with a bit of surfing thrown in. The participating schools were Penair School in Truro, Pool Academy, Brannel School in St Stephen, Bodmin College, Berrycoombe Primary School in Bodmin, Treviglas College in Newquay.

Lessons are delivered on the beach, in school time, and help to re-ignite pupils’ interest in core subjects such as English, geography and science. The new project will target 240 children who are not engaging in lessons or refusing to go to school over the next two years.

Wave Project chief executive Joe Taylor said: “This is a really exciting opportunity that will benefit 160 children in Cornwall who are currently not engaging with school. We found last year that by delivering lessons on the beach rather than a classroom environment, children became more engaged and interested in their subjects. It’s fantastic that we have benefited from this generous funding from the Comic Relief, which will enable us to reach 10 times as many children as last year.”

Cornwall-based educational psychologist Dr Wendy Thomas, who is a trustee of the Wave Project, said this was a big opportunity for young people to improve their resilience and emotional wellbeing.
Dr Thomas said: “I am really excited about the prospect of more young people in Cornwall accessing learning in the outdoor environment. “Such opportunities help promote fitness, contribute to enhanced emotional wellbeing and support positive social interaction through team activities. A brilliant opportunity to focus on building the resilience of young people in Cornwall.”

Schools in Cornwall that would like to take part in the project should send an expression of interest via email to andrewr@waveproject.co.uk

The programme is a real motivator for our students. They look forward to attending and are buzzing with excitement when they return.”

Year 9 Pastoral Team

After completing Beach School I joined The Wave Project Surf Club!

Year 9 Student, Cornwall

The student’s were openly sharing knowledge and understanding with peers when the lesson covered aspects of the curriculum covered during Beach School, such as erosion and geography.

Teacher, Beach School

“Beach School has had a positive and lasting impact on the majority of the pupils who participated. Improving pupil outcomes reducing antisocial learning behaviours, raising pupil engagement and aspiration.”

Teacher, Beach School

“My son loves the Wave Project and all the guys are absolutely fantastic. He is able to be himself and is accepted for who he is. He could not wait to go surfing every week and showed an excitement. Instead of trying to fit in and be someone he is not. They have fun and the atmosphere and positivity is amazing. The happiest days are with the Wave Project. So thank you, you really do change children’s lives.”

Parent, Cornwall

“The Wave Project has totally inspired my son. It has the right balance of challenge, excitement, relaxation, being part of a group. It also helps with his confidence, mood and sensory difficulties. It ticks all the boxes really. Plus we parents get a bit of a rest, can chat to other parents and have a cup of tea on the beach! He always says being in the sea is where he feels happiest and where his worries all go away…”

Mum, Dorset

Surfing has given my son confidence and self esteem that, as a teenager living with high functioning autism, he never had before. This amazing work should not be underestimated.